Keuka Lake State Park
We’ve been to Keuka Lake and Finger Lakes Region number of times and it is always a great time. The campground is specious and quiet, the lake is beautiful for kayaking and swimming. We have our friends Mikel and Daniela plus Anthony with us this week, so lots of good times.
We visited Glenn Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport, it was very interesting. Glenn Curtiss was motorcycle and aviation pioneer, with an unofficial record of 136mph on a motorcycle of his own design, during a race in 1907. He was regarded as greatest motor expert in the country by Alexander Graham Bell.
Sadly, I never heard of him so going through the museum was educational. He designed airplanes and motorcycles, including what I would consider would be the first camper, the AeroCar!
Finger Lakes are known for their vineyards, we stopped at the Keuka Lake Vineyards north of Hammondsport, for a tasting and got some nice whites, but there are so many other vineyards to choose from. Plus there are number of breweries and distilleries, most located on the hills surrounding the lakes, some with outstanding views. Definitely worth a visit.
And of course, plenty of good food and ice cream. Check out Crooked Lake Ice Cream in Hammondsport or Seneca Farms in Penn Yan.
Since we are staying for two weeks, it’s interesting to see the different folks camping here. Last weekend, there was a large group of families with boats and jet skis, teen kids and dogs, camping out across and next to us. They spend time on the lake and partied in the evening (finishing around 9pm). These folks were not youngsters, maybe late 40’s, from Buffalo area. They shared a perfect fish fry, made with walleye, so yummy! And had master corn hole tournament with drinks and prices, though after few beers the aim started deteriorating.
Once the party group left, another trailer pulled into the spot across from us. And so we met Mark, who was ex-Marine, worked for FAA around DC and finally retired in the Finger Lakes. We learned that he adopted his children from Guatemala, I thought that was really interesting to hear him talk about some of the challenges his kids faced, but he and his wife were clearly very supportive parents. It’s heartwarming to see so many good people in the world.
Tom, Mark and I biked the Keuka Outlet trail. The Outlet is a river, draining Keuka Lake into Seneca Lake, where number of mills were build in early 1800’s and Crooked Lake Canal was completed in 1833. Eventually, that was abandoned and more recently, the trail was put in place. Interestingly, if you start in Penn Yan, you will be going down hill, about 200 ft to Dresden. Return is more challenging. The trail is good, mostly crashed gravel and dirt with stop at the Mill ruins with nice waterfall.
We did visit more wineries, Heron Hill and Keuka Springs, both with wonderful views of the lake and pretty decent wines. I only sample whites, the area is known for it’s Riesling and I bringing some back, let’s see what actually makes it back to NJ!
Penn Yan has couple of nice restaurants, we ate at Parker’s Grille, great oriental salad with seared tuna and Timberwood Grill in Hammondsport for Salmon Cake BLT.
We kayaked, biked and swam in the lake, and just enjoyed everyone’s company over the nightly fire. Simple things in life.
